Florida Woman Sues Kraft for $5 Million Over Prep Time for Velveeta Shells and Cheese The class action suit was filed November 18.

By Steve Huff

Bloomberg | Getty Images

Velveeta's microwaveable shells & cheese product takes just three and a half minutes to heat—among the quickest of quick lunches. Florida woman Amanda Ramirez claims it's not that simple.

Ramirez's attorneys filed court documents with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on November 18. In the suit against Kraft Heinz Foods Company, Ramirez alleges that heating up an individual serving of Velveeta Shells & Cheese consumes more time to prepare than advertised. She seeks $5 million in damages.

The complaint says instructions on the packaging are "false and misleading." While the label says you should microwave shells & cheese for 3:30, Ramirez's attorneys claim the timing doesn't allow for all the steps required to make the meal. They allege that if you include those—removing the lid and sauce pouch, adding water, heating, then stirring—there's no way the pasta will be ready in just 3:30.

The 15-page lawsuit also contends that the claim is merited because Kraft is essentially making money as "a result of...false and misleading representations."

"The Product is sold at a premium price," the complaint says, "approximately no less than $10.99 for eight 2.39 oz cups, excluding tax and sales, higher than similar products, represented in a non-misleading way, and higher than it would be sold for absent the misleading representations and omissions."

Ramirez isn't just seeking $5 million in damages but also a new ad campaign that will correct the alleged misinformation.

Perhaps predictably, Heinz Foods issued a statement to CNN in which the company dubbed the lawsuit "frivolous" and said it "will strongly defend against the allegations in the complaint."

Steve Huff

Entrepreneur Staff

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Google's CEO Praised AI Rival DeepSeek This Week for Its 'Very Good Work.' Here's Why.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai spoke at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Wednesday.

Business News

OLIPOP Is Now a $1.85 Billion Brand. 'You Can Accomplish Things You Can't Imagine' Says Its Co-Founder.

OLIPOP co-founder Ben Goodwin explains how his idea for a "functional" soda that supports the gut's microbiome found its way onto store shelves and into consumers' hearts.

Leadership

This Entrepreneur's Cheat Code Gives You an Easy Talent Advantage — Are You Using It?

How a flexible talent strategy is a business skill that every entrepreneur and executive can use to drive profitability, growth and innovation

Marketing

Be Seen Online: Outrank Your Competitors Without Breaking a Sweat

Automate SEO, generate engaging content, and increase visibility—all with SEMAI.

Side Hustle

This 31-Year-Old Spends 2 Hours Per Week On His $2,000-a-Month Passive Income Side Hustle: 'Trust Your Vision'

Hansel Moore's home office "wasn't cutting it" — so he found another place to be creative.